High Court dismisses farm claims by Richard Scott’s son and stepmother

A son of businessman Richard Norman Scott lost his High Court challenge over promises he said his father made about the family farm. Adam Scott, Richard’s second oldest son, argued that he was entitled to land after spending much of his life working on the farm. He also disputed the validity of two wills made in 2016, which made no provision for him.Richard fathered at least 19 children from various relationships.

According to the Judiciary of England and Wales, Mr Justice Richards dismissed all three claims on 29 October 2025. His second wife, Jennifer, was among the defendants, alongside Richard’s estate and five of his children. The case also examined two farm tenancies granted to Adam in the family dispute.Why did Adam Scott challenge his father's promises about the family farmAdam’s proprietary estoppel claim centred on a promise Richard made in 1985 to ‘set Adam up in farming’.

The judge found that this referred to opportunities during Richard’s lifetime, rather than ownership of the farm after his death.